The AIF Project

Will CURTIS

Regimental number3377
Place of birthClarence River, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressCudgee, Tweed River, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 7.5"
Weight148 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Ellen Curtis, Byron Bay, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for military service on account of teeth).
Enlistment date13 November 1916
Place of enlistmentBrisbane, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name49th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/66/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A33 Ayrshire on 24 January 1917
Regimental number from Nominal Roll2777A
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll49th Battalion
FateDied of disease 20 October 1918
Age at death from cemetery records26
Place of burialVillers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery (Plot XVII, Row AA, Grave No. 6), Fouilloy, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
148
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: David and Ellen CURTIS, Butler Street, Bryron Bay, New South Wales
Medals

Military Medal

'Private CURTIS carried out the duties of Battalion Stretcher-bearer during operations in front of LE VERGUIER North West of St. QUENTIN 14th to 16th September 1918. Repeatedly he went forward in daylight under intense fire to bring in wounded. His bravery and endurance were responsible for saving numbers of wounded. His devotion to duty and self-sacrifice were most inspiring to others.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Sydney, 24 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 12 April 1917; marched into 13th Training Bn, Codford, 13 April 1917.

Admitted to Group Hospital, Codford, 13 July 1917 (mumps); marched into 13th Training Bn, 2 August 1917.

Proceeded overseas to France, 5 September 1917; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 6 September 1917.

Proceeded to unit, 14 September 1917; taken on strength of 49th Bn, in the field, 16 September 1917.

Wounded in action, 26 September 1917; admitted to No 32 Casualty Clearing Station, 26 September 1917 (gunshot wound, fingers); transferred to no 11 General Hospital, Camiers, 27 September 1917; to England, 28 September 1917; to No 16 Canadian General Hospital, Orpington, 28 September 1917; to No 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 10 October 1917; discharged, 17 October 1917, and marched into No 2 Command Depot, Dartford, the same day.

Marched into No 3 Command Depot, Weymouth, 27 November 1917.

Classified 'B1A2', 6 December 1917.

Classified 'A3', 13 December 1917.

Marched into Overseas Training Bde, Longbridge Deverill, 5 January 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 1 February 1918; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 2 February 1918.

Proceeded to unit, 4 February 1918; rejoined 49th Bn, 9 February 1918.

Admitted to No 13 Australian Field Ambulance, 17 October 1918 (lobar pneumonia); transferred to No 41 Stationary Hospital, Pont Remy, 18 October 1918.

Died, No 41 Stationary Hospital, 20 October 1918.

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, CURTIS Will

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